MOD POST: Fic Rules update coming--input needed!

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

Clearly, this thread needs to be updated. What do you all think should be covered in the new thread? I have some ideas already, but I'm just one person.

I certainly have to cover that fics have to be actually posted in the threads (a lot of people have tried to post links rather than text--that's what your sigs are for!), and that you can bump any fic from any time to review it. But what do you think?

 

[~Locust~]

I may just be a lurker now a days, but I certainly agree with your ideas.

 

[Drakon]

Sounds good.

How about:

You may not place "spacer gaps" between chapters UNLESS they contain author's notes or anything of that nature.

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

Ohh yes, I remember an author who did that...and then posted the next chapter a few hours later. How about "only bump for reassurance that the next chapter's coming if you don't forsee the next post being made within a week"?

 

[Barb]

Should we do away with the MPAA-based rating system (G, PG, R, etc) and have authors post content warnings in a disclaimer at the beginning of the fic?

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

Hmm, that would have to be done with some delicate hands though, since warning for specific content may give unwanted spoilers.

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

It's been a week so this is a legal bump. On that note, we need to establish the difference between good bumps and bad bumps.

And we need to make sure people know not to put ****ed out words in their stories unless they're going for some sort of joke. Because come on, we're writers, we handle language. And if you can't write out the actual word, don't censor it out. If the character would say it but you wouldn't, say something in the narration about it, like "he swore under his breath". But writing **** instead of "fuck" or whatever takes the reader completely out of the story and removes any spell the fic may have over them. Plus it looks stupid.

 

[The Big Al]

That becomes a real problem when you post in another forum that does edit out words (like SPPf). You can accidently copy what was posted there to this forum and **** is copied over.

 

[Umby]

That becomes a real problem when you post in another forum that does edit out words (like SPPf). You can accidently copy what was posted there to this forum and **** is copied over.

Sorry Blackjack, but this is why I have those starred out words. I do need to take them out, but I don't notice them at first.

 

[PanicAttack]

There are ways around the censors anyway. Alternatively, you can replace swears for something softer. In my opinion, "damn" is just as effective as "fuck" or "shit" for expressing anger. Alternatively, using unusual euphemisms can work well, particularly for oddball characters. I've done both. An example from my fic, with the "softer swear" being underlined and the unusual euphemism being in italics:

Yanma grinned manically. “Yes yes! We’re utterly doomed! Buggered, damned, ruined and predestined towards disaster! Doo-oo-oo-oomed!”

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

That's all true. But don't edit with asterics is my point.

 

[Every Breaking Wave]

That becomes a real problem when you post in another forum that does edit out words (like SPPf). You can accidently copy what was posted there to this forum and **** is copied over.

You could always, you know, post here first and then copy to SPPf. Works fine for me.

 

[The Big Al]

You could always, you know, post here first and then copy to SPPf. Works fine for me.

That's what I do now after I realized my screw up.

 

[Drakon]

But writing **** instead of "fuck" or whatever takes the reader completely out of the story and removes any spell the fic may have over them. Plus it looks stupid.

I'd assume unusual spelling variations like "fsck" for "fuck" fall under this category. *Cough*Time Gate X*Cough*

How about this: there must be a space between each paragraph or each time a new thought is introduced. You may not produce "word blocks" (a wall of text). I hate "word blocks", they make a story almost impossible to read.

Also: if you cease updating a story, please say so. Conversely, if you say you cease updating and you take it up again, place remove "update ceased" from the post.

Should we do away with the MPAA-based rating system (G, PG, R, etc) and have authors post content warnings in a disclaimer at the beginning of the fic?

I'm kind of ambivalent about that. It's good because some international folks might not understand the MPAA style ratings. It's bad because it seems that most people are comfortable with it. Also as someone said, descriptions, if they are too detailed could result in a spoiler. The best remedy for accidental spoiler would be basic discriptions like what I have for my fan fic in my sig.

I'll use Time Gate X as an example:

Time Gate X(Warning: rated R for intense bloody violence and heavy use of foul language)

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

How about this: there must be a space between each paragraph or each time a new thought is introduced. You may not produce "word blocks" (a wall of text). I hate "word blocks", they make a story almost impossible to read

Yeah, that's a good one. Unless it's done for a very good stylistic reason, which it rarely is, then yeah.

 

[Drakon]

Here's another one:

You may not beg/harass authors for more chapters or a sequel in the post that contains their story. Begging authors to include YOUR OC in a story is also not allowed.

I have seen that on a pokemon forum and it dramatically pissed me off as I had to dig through a page or more of begging (both for new chapters and a poster begging for their OC to be placed in the story) to see the next chapter.

However, posting CONSTRUCTIVE critque and praise is acceptable. Suggestions are permitted.

Begging is defined as: "The continual posting of non critiquing or non praising messages asking for a new chapter, OC insertion, etc."

Continual posting is defined as: "Posting the exact same idea each and everytime a chapter comes out. Critique or praise is exempt from this definition."

 

[White Len]

Hmm. That's what drove Darth Cookie Monster into creating...What's his name?

Anyway, basing your stories off what other people say is not good. Especially when you start off with "If you want your OC to be in this fic, comment and tell me what you OC is like!". I killed myself in a fic like that before...I thank the Lord I didn't post it anywhere.

Ah, 'new chapter'.
"Say, Darth, when are you writing a new chapter?"
"Your story is exciting...when's the next chapter coming out?"
"Darth, when is-"
"SHUT UP!!!"
Yep...irritating. However, I hope saying something like 'I hope your next chapter's just as good!' will be more or less accepted.

Finally, I realize one thing: Fics with other people's OCs in it is a work of a lazy author. He's not creating his own personalities: He's using other people's!

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

Finally, I realize one thing: Fics with other people's OCs in it is a work of a lazy author. He's not creating his own personalities: He's using other people's!

But then again, we're *already* using characters created by other people when we write about canon characters.

 

[phantomness]

I agree, but I still think it would be good etiquette to ask permission before using OCs as they are.

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

Well yes, that's a given. But once you get it, you're no less creative for it.